Flyin' high in Philly

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LANCE HORNBY -- Toronto Sun

Apr 9, 2006

, Last Updated: 10:16 AM ET

PHILADELPHIA -- Ahh, April on Broad Street.

The Maple Leafs and Flyers have had some classic playoff clashes here, including Philly victories the past two spring series. But the Leafs likely will have to content themselves with last night's 5-2 win, with all goals coming on the power play.

Toronto stretched its points streak to a season-high seven games (5-0-2) and has won two road games here for the first time in almost 40 regular seasons.

But, once again, there was no help to be found on the out-of-town scoreboard, where the eighth-place Tampa Bay Lightning shut out Pittsburgh to stay seven points up and Atlanta also won to remain one ahead for ninth.

However, the Leafs say they've stopped beating themselves up about things they can't control.

"It doesn't matter if our points can't add up, we might as well keep winning. If we can't get in the playoffs, the story will tell itself."

Toronto now has to win its five remaining games and hope for a Lightning collapse.

"We've got nothing to lose now," began goaltender Jean-Sebastien Aubin, who laughed and corrected himself to say: "Well, we have everything to lose. We're playing with all our hearts."

There was time for a little back-patting last night, particularly on the power play.

Jeff O'Neill scored twice, with singles to Alex Steen, Mats Sundin and Chad Kilger, the biggest road output for the unit since the seven goals in Atlanta back in October.

The Flyers, partly spent from a playoff-clinching win in Buffalo the night before and without the injured Peter Forsberg and Petr Nedved, lost at a sold-out Wachovia Centre for the second time to the Leafs in less than two weeks.

Toronto enjoyed a five-minute major early in the second period, though it came at the cost of a 15-stitch cut to Kyle Wellwood's forehead. He was planted eyebrow-first into the top of the boards by Denis Gauthier, who was tossed from the game and might be suspended.

"The league will look at it," coach Pat Quinn said. "But it was a dirty hit from a player who has a history."

Wellwood partially blamed himself for getting into a vulnerable position.

But the Leafs wasted the tail end of a 5-on-3 and most of the major before O'Neill got behind the defence and buried his second of the night. The Leafs got their power-play in gear at 7:31. Rookie Ian White made a smart read from the point before sending the puck into the crease, where O'Neill fought off Derian Hatcher for the tip-in.

Michal Handzus was in the box when the Leafs iced a youth-oriented unit that featured Matt Stajan and Steen. Stajan, whose special teams prowess has featured an NHL-leading eight shorthanded points, danced past Freddy Meyer on the boards and fed a wide-open Steen for his 18th.

R.J. Umberger and Sundin traded goals later in the second period, while Jeff Carter had the lone third-period goal for Philly.

REPORT CARD

A- Forwards: Special teams roared to life with four power-play goals and limited odd-man rushes going the other way.

B+ Defence: Crisp movement out of the zone and solid power-play production.

A- Goaltending: Tough saves in close for Aubin, who made just one stickhandling error.